A Bird in the Hand…

This weekend my family and I are participating in the New Hampshire Audubon Society’s annual backyard winter bird survey. Its a way to enjoy nature, help out the New Hampshire Audubon Society and to do something together that family members of all ages can participate in. Several bird watching members of my family participate, but the most fun I had was sharing this with my late grandmother. She’d call everyone up and inform us all of the variety of birds she had and share some of the cheeky antics of her little red squirrels. Those little devils always managed to get the best of the “anti-squirrel” devices that were equipped on our bird feeders. Believe it or not, the bird survey also asks for a squirrel count, too, since red squirrels are on the decline.

Here is a list of the top ten back-yard birds that may be found at bird feeders east of the Rocky Mountains: American Goldfinch, Chickadee (Black-Capped/Carolina), Dark-Eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Ruby Throated Hummingbird, Tufted Titmouse, and White-Breasted Nuthatch.

All these birds can be easily attracted to your bird-feeders. The library has many books on birding, bird identification and also books on care and keeping of domestic birds. Below is an sampling:

February was selected by Congress as National Bird Feeding Month because this month is an ideal time for promoting and enjoying the bird feeding hobby, which is home-based and nature-oriented. So take a peek outside–you might find a feathered friend or two out there!